Sunshine’s Reflections

Good morning! Happy Friday to you all!

TFTD: Challenged to Greatness

1 Peter 1:6-9 (NIV)

6 In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7 These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 9 for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

Have you ever felt like you were hard pressed on every side? No matter how hard you work someone is always trying to tear you down. Do you ever feel like you are the target of a secret sabotage? Is there a covert operation in place to destroy your path to greatness? I don’t know about you, but I’ve been there sometimes.

I want to leave you with a simple message today:

Some people were created to challenge you to greatness!

Yes, I know some of you may think I am crazy, but some people were created to press you to the limits. The anointing that God has placed in you can’t be coddled out of you it has to be squeezed out of you and in some cases it must be beaten out of you. There is a testimony that lives within you that will minister to the hearts of men, women, boys, and girls, but you must first endure test and trials in order to share that testimony.

If you look at great people, they had to endure great pain and great obstacles. The greatest example is Jesus Christ. He healed the sick, performed miracles, taught, prayed, embraced the forgotten and ultimately died for our sins, all while being challenged every step of the way. Jesus was challenged to greatness! There are Judas’ created just to betray you in order for you to reach your full potential (Oh, I felt a leap in my belly!)

Every trial and tribulation you endure will be a test to prove your faith in Christ. Embrace the test and come out REFINED!!! God wants to develop you into a person of purpose and destiny and you may have to endure a “Job” experience just to come out with more than you went in with. (Read the book of Job in entirety)

So when life seems to be weighing you down and people seem to be attacking your integrity, stop, smile and say “I AM BEING CHALLENGED TO GREATNESS!” We can’t control what people do to us, but we can control how we respond. The tough times are the perfect times to demonstrate your commitment to God!

Have a blessed day! Greater is coming! Greater is NOW!!!

Mrs. Nicole “Sunshine” Ellis, MBA

Can’t breathe: Try Spiritual CPR: Consistent in praying, Persistent in pursuing the knowledge of God, and Resistant to temptation.

Sunshine’s Reflections

Good afternoon! Happy Tuesday to you all! I pray your day is going well thus far.

TFTD: Respect people in authority

1 Peter 2:13-17 (NIV)

13 Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, 14 or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. 15 For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. 16 Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves. 17 Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.

Today’s blog hit a nerve and stepped on my little cute manicured toes (giggling), but one thing is true of God’s word, it is a life changing word. I am constantly learning that if you really want God to do a “new” thing in your life you have to allow Him to change you from the inside out.

Now let me ask, how many of you have sat under leadership in a ministry, a supervisor, a political figure or dignitaries and felt like they were incompetent, under qualified, evil, disrespectful, just to name a few? Do you find it difficult to serve or work under that leader? Do you find it challenging to demonstrate a spirit of excellence because you don’t receive the same high standard in return? Well the answer is yes for me. I have personally felt this way at different times in my life. Yes, I have been guilty of not giving my best because I didn’t feel like the “best” was warranted because I was sitting under sub-par leadership. Was this the right attitude? Absolutely NOT! As a Christian, I am supposed to practice the love of Christ daily, even when I’m not receiving the love or respect in return.

Children of God, I am here to remind you to respect people in authority. The Word of God tells us to submit to every human authority. We need leaders for a reason and whether we think they are qualified or not doesn’t matter. What does matter is that we show the proper respect to EVERYONE. What if God assigned you to minister to that leader in your church, on your job or in the community? What if that person was put in a position of authority, solely to come in contact with you? You never know why God has placed you where He has, but while you are there you are required to respect the people who are in authority.

I know it’s tough to respect those who don’t respect you. It’s even harder to respect those who were placed in a position out of favoritism rather than qualifications, but with Christ as your example it will become easier to learn to love and respect everyone.

In life, you will reap what you sow and one day God may call you to leadership and I pray you reap the spirit of respect and love that you are sewing now.

Have a blessed day!

Mrs. Nicole “Sunshine” Ellis, MBA

Can’t breathe: Try Spiritual CPR: Consistent in praying, Persistent in pursuing the knowledge of God, and Resistant to temptation.

Sunshine’s Reflections

Good afternoon! It’s a glorious day. Why? Because God woke you up and gave you another chance.

TFTD: I believe

John 5:24 (NKJV)

24 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.

Ephesians 2:10 (NKJV)

10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

2 Peter 3:9 (NKJV)

9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us,[a] not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

Today’s message is simple; I believe. I believe that God sent His Only Son to die for me. I believe Jesus came to this earth wrapped in flesh and walked this land performing miracles, teaching the word and fulfilling His destiny. I believe Jesus died on the cross, was buried and rose on the third day. I believe that by believing all of this I am saved by His grace and mercy. It is important as a Christian to put your trust, hope and faith in God. When you believe in who God is then it’s easier to trust in His promises.

I believe the words that flow in the bible. There may be times where I second guess Christ selecting me for an assignment, but I never doubt His ability. I know God can do all things. Sometimes I think He made an error in picking me and then I laugh and say, “Girl you are qualified because God called you.” I believe! I believe God is who He says He is. I believe I am His workmanship, created in the image of Christ to carry out a great and mighty work. It’s scripture, so I believe. I believe that God is a promise keeper. I believe that I am a living promise. YES! I BELIEVE!!! *HANDS EXTENDED* I believe that Greater is Coming. I believe that I am fearfully and wonderfully made. I believe that I am more than a conqueror. I believe that I am destined for greatness. I believe in who God says I AM! I believe! I BELIEVE! I BELIEVE!

I am learning that life is a journey filled with rejections. However, on the other side of a “NO” is a learning experience which leads to new possibilities. It is important to be resilient if you want to become successful in life. No one ever said things would be easy. God even tells us in the Word, that our days are short and filled with trouble. (Job 14:1 (NKJV)14 “Man who is born of woman Is of few days and full of trouble.) So, you can either sulk and live a defeated life after you encounter rejection or you can dust yourself off, make the necessary adjustments and get back into the game.

Here are some examples of resilient people:

Henry Ford: While Ford is today known for his innovative assembly line and American-made cars, he wasn’t an instant success. In fact, his early businesses failed and left him broke five times before he founded the successful Ford Motor Company.

R. H. Macy: Most people are familiar with this large department store chain, but Macy didn’t always have it easy. Macy started seven failed business before finally hitting big with his store in New York City.

Charles Darwin: In his early years, Darwin gave up on having a medical career and was often chastised by his father for being lazy and too dreamy. Darwin himself wrote, “I was considered by all my masters and my father, a very ordinary boy, rather below the common standard of intellect.” Perhaps they judged too soon, as Darwin today is well-known for his scientific studies.

Thomas Edison: In his early years, teachers told Edison he was “too stupid to learn anything.” Work was no better, as he was fired from his first two jobs for not being productive enough. Even as an inventor, Edison made 1,000 unsuccessful attempts at inventing the light bulb. Of course, all those unsuccessful attempts finally resulted in the design that worked.

Michael Jordan: Most people wouldn’t believe that a man often lauded as the best basketball player of all time was actually cut from his high school basketball team. Luckily, Jordan didn’t let this setback stop him from playing the game and he has stated, “I have missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I have lost almost 300 games. On 26 occasions I have been entrusted to take the game winning shot, and I missed. I have failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.”

There are many more examples of successful people who had to encounter failure, setbacks, rejections, and more. If you have a moment click on the link above and read some other examples of people who failed first. I would like to say they “failed forward.” They failed so much that they moved forward instead of moving back and giving up! (Oh, that’ll preach!)

I encourage you to keep pushing, recover quickly from your misfortune and change. Stay RESILIENT! Your “YES” is on the way!

Have a blessed day! Greater is Coming!

Mrs. Nicole “Sunshine” Ellis, MBA

Can’t breathe: Try Spiritual CPR: Consistent in praying, Persistent in pursuing the knowledge of God, and Resistant to temptation.

Sunshine Reflections

Good morning! Happy Tuesday to you all! I pray your weekend was a blessed one. I had a wonderful weekend with family. I pray that you all have a productive week filled with God’s favor!!!

TFTD: Faith Walk

2 Corinthians 5:7 (NKJV)

7 For we walk by faith, not by sight.

What is faith and how can you walk in it? This is a simple concept, but requires a level of trust beyond what you see in the physical realm. Let’s first look at the definition of faith. In the dictionary, faith is defined as confidence or trust in a person or a things ability; belief that is not based on proof; belief in God or in the doctrines or teachings. Hebrews 11:1defines faith as, “the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” So simply put, faith is trusting in someone or something before you receive the proof that it will all work out. Okay, put a pin in faith for now.

Now let’s take a look at the word walk. Walk means to advance or travel on foot at a moderate speed or pace; move by advancing the feet alternately so that there is always one foot on the ground. That is pretty self-explanatory. Now let’s combine the two words to get “Faith Walk”and you get this:

Placing your hope and trust in someone or something without any evidence and still advancing by placing one foot in front of each other.

Yep, that pretty much sums it up! *Giggling* I love how God speaks to me in the most simplistic manner yet it’s so profound. When you operate in faith you are essentially saying, “God I trust you, I don’t even know what this looks like or how it will come to pass, but I am hopeful. I don’t know where my next step will lead me, but I will continue to place one foot in front of the other advancing in the kingdom until I reach the appointed destination.” This is a faith walk!!!

You cannot wait until everything falls into place before you start moving. If God gave you the vision, you have to trust Him to make the provision. You have to walk this thing out by faith and not by sight. The people who sit around waiting for God to show them every piece to the puzzle will remain stagnant and never grow. But the people who operate in faith will continue to advance closer to their purpose and calling. Don’t be foolish sitting on your goals and dreams, faith without works is dead. (Read James 2:20) Get to work and continuing moving in faith. You will get closer to your destination if you continue moving.

Are you ready to go for a walk; a faith walk?

Good luck on your journey. Remember it doesn’t matter what it looks like in the physical realm, stand on the promises of God and He will manifest His blessings over your life in due season.

Have a blessed day!

Mrs. Nicole “Sunshine” Ellis, MBA

Can’t breathe: Try Spiritual CPR: Consistent in praying, Persistent in pursuing the knowledge of God, and Resistant to temptation.

Sunshine’s Reflections

Psalm 118:6 (NKJV)

6 The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?

Today, I leave you with a simple reflection;

When God has called you to greater, you have nothing to fear. Although man may not understand it, support it or believe it, you must walk in the confidence that whatever God has brought to you, He will bring through you.

Children of God, we are the salt and the light of the earth and we need to walk and operate in our calling. Man may try to block you and may even try to stop you, but those attempts will be futile. Remember with the Lord on your side, you have nothing to fear. I encourage you to spend more time with Christ and ask Him to reveal to you your purpose. Ask the Lord to give you the strength to step out on faith and begin moving towards your destiny.

Have a wonderful weekend. God bless you and your family!

Mrs. Nicole “Sunshine” Ellis, MBA

Can’t breathe: Try Spiritual CPR: Consistent in praying, Persistent in pursuing the knowledge of God, and Resistant to temptation.